Understanding Muslim-West Alienation
Arshad Khan (Reviewed by The Editor - Rebecca Brown)
2002 Writers Club/iUniverse.com
ISBN: 0595237096 Amazon's price is: $14.95
Building a Better Future by identifying historical/current events & issues, positive & negative, which have led to the antagonism between America & the Muslim world.
There are 8 chapters to this 132 page book. Arshad Khan has written a clean, lean textbook with no hyperbole, ornamentation or exaggeration. He simply states the facts as he sees them, & they are compelling.
This is not an America-bashing book, rather it is a sincere effort to bridge the gap between two dynamic cultures -- secular Americanism & religious Islam, both, at this time, struggling to find common ground upon which to face a mutually lethal adversary -- Islamic terrorism.
In Chapter 1: Evolution and Rise of Islam, we are treated to a quick history lesson of who, what, where, when & how of the origins of the Islamic faith & culture.
Chapter 2: Decline of Islamic Civilization and Present Status. Here we learn of the forces & changes outside & inside Islam that brought it to its knees.
Chapter 3: Defining Events and How Muslims View Them -- both historical & after the partition of India in 1947, what happened in Kashmir, Palestine, & Iran. Then we proceed to the 1973 oil embargo, the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, to the Gulf War, Bosnia, Beirut, Somalia & South Lebanon struggles, right up to when Pakistan becomes a nuclear bomb capable nation.
Chapter 4: Perceived Western Role and Muslim Reaction. In which the steps to perdition are listed, & their consequences explained.
Chapter 5: Where Lies the Truth. Analyzing Muslim complaints against America.
Chapter 6: Failure of Muslim Leadership. In which the failures of both the political & religious leaders in Muslim communities are explained.
Chapter 7: Jehad Hijacked. The vital & very real differences between Jehad & Terrorism.
Chapter 8: Building a Better Future -- what world Muslims need to do & what America & the West need to do.
With an Appendix of historical events & a thorough Index, Arshad Khan's Understanding Muslim-West Alienation is a valuable primer about why we are in the trouble we're in, from both sides. It is not only about why Americans are faced with such hatred & contempt by the fastest growing religious population since Christianity, it is about a new cultural clash being fought around the globe, betweem the haves & have nots, between those of too little faith & those who will kill & die for too much faith. Do not doubt that this author is not cognizant that this must be a fight to the finish, that the terrorists do indeed, think & act in a black & white reality, that they live & breath in an extreme of either/or else.
It must be remembered, however, that millions of Muslims flock to America where they know they can freely practice their faith, become citizens & have a voice in how their country is run, as well as making a good life for their families.
In the final section of this book, What American Muslims Need to Know, Arshad Khan lists the dozen or so ideas Muslim citizens need to remember: assume leadership; leave your non-democratic “baggage” back in the “old country;” focus on the bigger picture rather than on the trivial issues that divide communities; practice what you preach; know what basic rights Islam guarantees -- especially to your womenfolk; lead by example & condemn extremists; become involved in the American political process, & so on.
Understanding Muslim-West Alienation is a worthy primer, no bells & whistles, nothing fancy -- simply an eminently accessible read for those wanting to know more about how we all got to this sorry state of affairs, where we might be going, & exactly what drives Muslim extremists to vilify the West.
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